Volunteer work abroad in Portugal

Volunteer work abroad for a permaculture project in Portugal.

In 2024, we purchased two adjacent plots of land near Penamacor in central Portugal. One part is open countryside with a small lake in the middle and around 70 mature olive trees (Lago). The other part consists of two-thirds wild forest with cork oaks and olive trees and one-third farmland (Floresta). In short, it is pure nature, and we want to keep it that way as much as possible.

Florago is an oasis of tranquillity in one of the last quiet areas in Europe. We want both ourselves and the participants at Florago to enjoy this meditative silence, nature, and the view of the surroundings and the Estrelas Mountains. From Florago, you can go on beautiful walking and mountain biking trips in an undiscovered area. After your walk, you can take a dip in the lake on the land or in the stream a little further away.

We are developing the land at Florago according to the principles of permaculture and organic farming. So we work with nature instead of against it and do not use artificial fertilisers or pesticides. We are creating a varied food forest with fruit, nuts, berries and herbs. Every year, we plant around 200 trees and shrubs. Once the food forest becomes productive, we can all enjoy its yields. By eating them directly or, if production is high enough, by storing them together for later use. Last autumn, we harvested our first olives and they are fantastic. In addition to the food forest, there is about 1.5 hectares available for growing vegetables and herbs.

We want to create a small community at Florago and are looking for volunteers who want to enjoy this beautiful place in nature and put their energy and creativity into its development and preservation. There is also the possibility to live permanently on the land in your own yurt, caravan, tiny house or camper van.

Are you interested? Please contact us at info@florago.org We regularly organise information meetings in Rotterdam to explain the Florago project and meet new participants.

Check out our blog to get an idea of our project.

Best regards and hopefully see you soon in Portugal,

Joyce and Remco